Chloe Lupo: Let It Be!

I have to apologize for being absent from my little blog world for almost a year! It has been a whirlwind of a year! I don't even know where to start. They say a picture is worth a thousand words... so be prepared for a lot of them!

Last January I was able to participate in the Gasparilla parade as Miss Tampa! It was a blast! But I have to say my bead throwing arm hurt for days after! It was all worth it!

Then shortly after that, in February I competed for the title of Miss St. Petersburg.

This was my third time competing for this title... It is a very prestigious pageant, most of the top competitors in Florida come to compete in this pageant. I had no idea what was going to happen, but I prepared to win. (and prayed that I would have favor in the sight of God and man!)

I am blessed to say I was able to walk away with the title of Miss St. Petersburg, and overall interview winner! and boy has it been an amazing year!

Laura Mckeeman, Miss Pinellas County 2012 and our new Miss Florida 2012 and Kristina Janolo Miss Florida 2011!

My first appearance as Miss St. Pete was with the Southeastern Guide Dogs! And St. Petersburgs honorary puppie, Peety, at the Guide dog walkathon.

Southeastern Guide Dog's mission is to create and nurture a partnership between a visually impaired individual and a guide dog, facilitating lifes journey with mobility, independence and dignity.

And they do an amazing job at it!

With Peety!

Then at the end of February It was time to give up my title of Miss Tampa. Bitter sweet, but I was incredibly excited to invite another young lady into the sisterhood of Miss Tampa! The Miss Tampa Board puts on the best show, every year! It's a wonderful organization to be a part of!

Bob Clark taught me a lot through my year as Miss Tampa, and about a week before I had to crown our new Miss Tampa... He looked at me and said "Sweetheart, 50 years from now you will still be our 65th Miss Tampa... But 50 years from now no one will know who I was." and I replied "are you kidding me?! You will always and forever be our Mr. Tampa!" SO of course I had to supply him with a sash of his own ;)

Crowning our New Miss Tampa, Olivia Stacey!
She is beautiful inside, and out!

Back to the other side of the bay! I was off to another appearance as Miss St. Petersburg!

The Honda Grand Prix! It was incredible to be a part of such a HUGE event! St. Petersburg is an amazing host for different events, they do a fantastic job at bringing the city together to embrace our guests!

Festivals of speed parade! with Miss Florida, Kristina Janolo!

With My sunshine Princess, Kiersten Herman and Miss St. Petersburg's Outstanding Teen, Savannah Gribbins.

From the moment I won Miss St. Petersburg I started preparing for Miss Florida. Along the way I was able to have an AMAZING photo shoot with the one and only Deb Knoske, Met with S.A.F.E. (Stay Alive From Education), and worked with the talented Jennifer Mckenna.

The beautiful Katie Buttson Shearer

The Paramedics of S.A.F.E

The one and only Jennifer Mckenna!

In the middle of preparing for one of the most intense weeks of my life... my dad decided to take my family on a trip to Italy for my parents 25th anniversary! I have to say, his timing couldn't have been more perfect!

I was just lucky enough to land in Rome on my 21st birthday!

Once we landed in Rome, we stayed there for a few nights then traveled down to the Amalfi coast, and Sorrento. Then up to Venice and Florence and then back to Rome.

I have to say it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!

Heres just a little glimpse of what I was able to lay my eyes on....

In front of the Colosseum!

Inside!

Colosseum at night!

The Vatican!

Fontana Di Trevi!

Amalfi Coast!

Sorrento!

Stuck on a gondola in the rain!

Venizia!

The Duomo!

Okay! Back to real time here! Once I got back from Italy, I had a week to pack and finish preparations for Miss Florida! After a week of eating everything in sight... I cant explain to you how much pizza and gelato I ate... I never thought winning a swimsuit prelim was possible.

Little did I know, that would be the first Miss Florida preliminary award I would ever win!

If you don't know me, I hide my emotions very well sometimes... you may be thinking to yourself "Wow I wish I could do that." No... I have to disagree with you, It is so hard... because when it comes down to a time that I do let my emotions out, its like everything that I have kept bottled up comes out even more intense than it would have if I just let it out in the first place!

This is what happened when it came down to a few days before I left for Miss Florida. I was on a emotional roller coaster! It was pretty funny. I was just SO excited!

This was my 4th trip to Miss Florida, so I was there to have fun! It truly is a life changing experience and every year I have met some of my best friends through this pageant. Pageant girls understand other pageant girls. My dad teases me now saying that one day when I get married my whole bridal party is going to be Incredibly beautiful, and full of Miss America Girls :)!

Sunday was move in day: My AMAZING roomie was Sarah York this year, we waited around for hours before our room was ready... but all of our luggage took up almost the whole hallway... I guess I should say, all of MY luggage took up almost the whole hallway. haha! I never know what to expect, I am an over packer. But I can blame that on Mary Sullivan, The Executive Director of the Miss Florida pageant... My first year at Miss Florida she said "As Miss Florida you should be prepared for anything, and be ready at all times!" So I took this to heart... and made sure I was ready for truly Anything!

After finally getting into our room, we attended the Rays game, and then straight to rehearsals!

Monday consisted of more Rehearsals for myself!

Tuesday I had my Interview with the judges, and then continued with rehearsals.

Wednesday was our day off! We were aloud to sleep in, then joined Ann Marie Griffin, and Lavoyce Porter for our annual luncheon. At this luncheon I was announced one of the 7 Quality of Life finalists!

This is the first year the Miss Florida Organization has given the Quality of Life award.

Sponsored by Kylie Williams, the Q.O.L. award is an award that they give at Miss America and it is platform based. Once the Q.O.L. finalists are chosen they have another interview with a separate panel of judges. (This interview was Friday Morning.)

Thursday was the first day of Preliminary competition! I competed in Swim Suit and Evening wear this night. I won Prelim Swim Suit that night! WOOOHHOOO!!!! That was an Amazing feeling!

Friday was the second night of prelims, and I had my Quality of life interview! That night was my onstage question and Talent night!

Then!

Saturday was finals night!

I cant even begin to explain this night to you! Remember how I said I was on an emotional roller coaster before Miss Florida... well, I was back on that Saturday night!

I was called into the top 11! Then was rushed back stage to start competition once again!

after re competing, I was called into top 5! If I wasn't in a beautiful gown, from Regalia, I would have been jumping up and down when this happened!

I walked away that night with the Fourth runner up spot, Preliminary Swimsuit winner, Preliminary Evening gown winner, and the Quality of Life winner!

Although I did not win, I couldn't be disappointed with my performance! I was so incredibly proud to represent St. Petersburg and I had a wonderful time!

Im just plotting and planning for next year now!